World-class theatre companies: Headlong, Told by an Idiot and Paines Plough To Come To The Unity.

 Unity Theatre is delighted to introduce their Autumn 2018 season, featuring some of the most respected names in theatre, as part of an exciting programme that looks to the future and questions what might be in store.

From September 10th – 15th the Unity Theatre is delighted to have a new play from multi award winning theatre company Headlong, in association with Birmingham Reparatory Theatre; Meek is a dystopian drama that presents a nightmarish parallel reality where censorship, repression and control reign supreme. The play, from Fringe First-winning playwright Penelope Skinner, was described as “an absolutely captivating show” * * * * by Broadway Baby when it opened in Edinburgh this August.

Fans of dark prophecies can also sink their teeth into The Forecast from Limbik Theatre on 8th September. This dark, zany Edinburgh Fringe hit sees four women escape war and poverty by relinquishing their freedom to become the latest must-have living consumer items. Finally, Where We Began from Stand and Be Counted imagines an alternative future where every citizen is ordered to return to their place of birth: expect storytelling, movement and live music, along with a challenge of existing notions of “home” on 9th October.

In October the theatre welcomes two more world-class theatre companies. Told by an Idiot bring All You Need is LSD by Leo Butler on 16th – 20th, whether the world is in need of a psychedelic revolution. Celebrated company Paines Plough join us with Pop Music for one night only on 30th October, with an unpredictable, epic journey through 30 years of pop.

Fusion theatre and newsworthy themes are in the spotlight on 21st September with SKIN from 201 Dance Company, a hip-hop dance exploration of transgender themes, and Woke (19th September) a feminism-themed gig theatre event from rapper and writer of the hugely successful Black Men Walking, Testament, in association with Little Mighty. Tmesis Theatre returns with their trademark physical style 28th September – 6th October, with Beyond Belief – a show about our online legacy after we are gone. On 31st October, they are joined by Manchester Theatre Award-winner In the Mirror Theatre Company, with Narcissist in the Mirror – a dark comedy about life, ambition and millennial expectation.

Unity Supported Artist Dorcas Sebuyange keeps things topical with a performance event to celebrate the launch of her new album Vice Versa, which politically explores realms of consciousness. Expect motion graphics, poetry, visual art and movement in this invite-only event.

On 5th & 6th October, What a Little Bird Told Me Theatre bring When Did You Stop Dancing, a playful look at the true story of mass dance hysteria that afflicted a German town for a month in the 1500s. Dancing is in the spotlight again on 15th & 16th November with Mop the House: A Short Guide to Vogue, a world premiere from Homotopia, DadaFest and The Arena Theatre.

Every Thursday morning throughout November, Travelled Companions return with a brand-new series of creative and interactive sessions for pre-school children – combining live music, movement, storytelling and sensory play. Later in the month, a folk tale gets a makeover in Knock Knock from Hot Coals Theatre on November 2nd – a physical theatre, clown and mask fairy tale for families.

Family secrets and wartime memories wreak havoc in Silence on 24th-27th October, a delicate and bold play from Mercury Theatre Colchester, Wiltshire Creative and Unity Theatre, and family drama takes centre stage again on 10th-13th October with Blood Runs Deep, a gripping new thriller from Break A Leg Productions in association with Bill.

The trend of great stand-up comedy at Unity continues this September with television and radio star Justin Moorhouse: Northern Joker on 18th September, Mock the Week regular Zoe Lyons on 20th September and quick-fire comic Gary Delaney with Gagster’s Paradise on 22nd September.

Unity is delighted to collaborating with Action Transport Theatre again this Christmas. This 2018, the companies, in association with innovative and cutting-edge disability arts organisation DaDaFest brings the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast to life on stage from 20th November – 5th January.

Tickets for all events are on sale from the Unity Theatre Box office.